Table of Contents
Who does the rattlesnake represent?
The rattlesnake as a symbol of the American colonies originated with Benjamin Franklin’s Join or Die cartoon of 1754, which he printed above his newspaper essay urging unity among the colonies for defense against the French and Indians on the frontier.
Why did Benjamin Franklin choose a rattlesnake?
Benjamin Franklin utilized the figure of the rattlesnake to first symbolize dissatisfaction with Great Britain, and later as a relevant symbol for the country overall. While they are most prevalent in southwestern United States, rattlesnakes lived in all thirteen of the colonies and were well-recognized.
What Benjamin Franklin said about the rattlesnake?
In the December 27, 1775 edition of The Pennsylvania Journal, Benjamin Franklin wrote about why he believed the rattlesnake was the ideal image for the colonies: “[The rattle-snake’s] eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids.
What does a rattlesnake symbolize?
Rattlesnakes tend to be viewed negatively in Native American cultures, frequently associated with violence and revenge. In legends, rattlesnakes sometimes appear as divine punishment to wreak vengeance on sinful people or their families, or as agents of an angry witch.
What flag has a snake on it?
Gadsden flag
| Adopted | 1775 |
| Design | A yellow banner charged with a yellow coiled timber rattlesnake facing towards the hoist sitting upon a patch of green grass, with thirteen rattles for the thirteen colonies, the words “Dont Tread on Me” positioned below the snake in black. |
| Designed by | Christopher Gadsden |
What do rattlesnakes symbolize?
What is the snake a symbol of in America?
The Gadsden flag is a historical American flag with a yellow field depicting a timber rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Beneath the rattlesnake are the words: “Dont Tread on Me”. Some modern versions of the flag include an apostrophe….Gadsden flag.
| Use | Banner |
| Proportion | Not specified |
| Adopted | 1775 |
What bird did Benjamin Franklin want as our national bird?
turkey
The story about Benjamin Franklin wanting the National Bird to be a turkey is just a myth. This false story began as a result of a letter Franklin wrote to his daughter criticizing the original eagle design for the Great Seal, saying that it looked more like a turkey.
Who is the Gadsden flag named after?
Some modern versions of the flag include an apostrophe. The flag is named after politician Christopher Gadsden (1724–1805), who designed it in 1775 during the American Revolution. It was used by the Continental Marines as an early motto flag, along with the Moultrie flag.
What do the letters next to each piece of the snakes body represent?
The letters next to the snake are abbreviations of each colony in geographical order, running south to north (South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New England). Because of this, it can actually be viewed as a map of some sorts.
What does a rattlesnake mean in Native American?